A List of My Top 10 Player-Exclusive Justin Jefferson Cleats
Developers: Katie DeFilippo / Shawn Pinamonti PLM: Montre Gregory Design: Nick Black, Christian English
Game Breaker
Built the concept around NFL Street, using its bold visual identity as the foundation. Incorporated Y2K-inspired flame graphics, and custom “Jefferson” and “Undr Armr” wordmarks designed to reflect the attitude and style of the original game branding.
Built the concept around NFL Street, using its bold visual identity as the foundation. Incorporated Y2K-inspired flame graphics, and custom “Jefferson” and “Undr Armr” wordmarks designed to reflect the attitude and style of the original game branding.
Introduced an interactive element through a color-shifting upper film that transitions from white to orange with heat—referencing the “Gamebreaker” meter from the game.
Balanced graphic storytelling with material execution through layered screen prints and TPU applications.
After Burner
Developed the concept around afterburner imagery, using the blue-to-pink flame as a visual anchor. Built the upper through a layered material system to create depth and motion.
Started with a digital print capturing a close-up of an afterburner flame. Overlaid this with a chrome TPU film featuring a carbon fiber RP, cut away to simulate material being torn away. Added a tonal screen print of tech-driven graphics to reinforce the engineered, high-performance aesthetic.
Extended the material story into the rear of the cleat by replacing the standard textile with a satin-like finish. Designed the plate with a purple-to-silver gradient and solar chrome finish, referencing the look of an oxidized exhaust.
Purple Luxe
Drew inspiration from the trend of luxury product arriving in flooded color which put emphasis on key elements like pattern, construction and bold hardware. Applied these ideas to the Blur Pro model, introducing debossed nubuck paneling and a nubuck shroud to elevate the upper construction.
Enhanced the design with custom-molded antique silver hardware, including a functional zipper and bespoke “JJ” metal buttons—reinforcing both the luxury influence and athlete-specific identity.
White Chrome 18 (2024)
Drew inspiration from Chrome Hearts, particularly its use of leather, metal hardware, and handcrafted detailing. Applied this design language to the Inline Blur model by replacing the standard mesh and TPU film upper with synthetic leather, establishing a more elevated foundation.
I then developed a custom quilted upper. To resolve challenges with the Blur’s asymmetric U-throat construction, created a quilt pattern that radiates from the U-throat and flows naturally with the shoe’s form—ensuring consistency across the upper.
Lastly I partnered with suppliers to produce custom-molded metal studs, individually placed at quilt intersections. This detail reinforced both the craftsmanship and the luxury-inspired direction of the design.
Chrome 18 (2024)
Drew inspiration from Chrome Hearts, particularly its use of leather, metal hardware, and handcrafted detailing. Applied this design language to the Inline Blur model by replacing the standard mesh and TPU film upper with synthetic leather, establishing a more elevated foundation.
I then developed a custom quilted upper. To resolve challenges with the Blur’s asymmetric U-throat construction, created a quilt pattern that radiates from the U-throat and flows naturally with the shoe’s form—ensuring consistency across the upper.
Lastly I partnered with suppliers to produce custom-molded metal studs, individually placed at quilt intersections. This detail reinforced both the craftsmanship and the luxury-inspired direction of the design.
Scary Hours
Built the concept around the idea of an on-field alter ego, translating intensity, focus, and aggression into the visual language of the cleat. Drew inspiration from early 2000s films like Blade, influencing the sharp geometry, aggressive forms, and overall silhouette.
Extended the concept into the branding by reworking the logo into a more evolved, aggressive version—mirroring the psychological shift that defines elite performance. Ensured all design elements reinforced this sense of transformation, creating a cohesive and immersive identity.
Chrome 18 (2025)
Following the success of the initial release—where the red version generated viral attention and the white version transitioned to retail—identified an opportunity to expand the concept into a more advanced, and luxurious execution.
Drew inspiration from the Rick Owens x Chrome Hearts Geobasket, translating key elements like crocodile leather and bold hardware into a performance context. Applied these ideas to the Blur Pro model, introducing debossed leather paneling and a leather shroud to elevate the upper construction.
Enhanced the design with custom-molded gold hardware, including a functional zipper and bespoke “JJ” metal buttons—reinforcing both the luxury influence and athlete-specific identity.
The Bag
This concept, “The Bag,” was inspired by a luxury bag featured in Jefferson’s tunnel fits, using it as a starting point to connect his fashion influence directly to performance design. Built around the rising trend of flashy footwear on the field—seen in custom chrome cleats worn by athletes like Derrick Henry—and reinforced by parallel trends in fashion, including metallic silhouettes from brands like Wales Bonner and Raf Simons.
This intersection of sport and fashion informed material choices and finish, positioning the cleat as both performance gear and a visual statement.
Madden 99 Club
Identified an opportunity to extend an existing concept, “The Bag,” a chrome silver cleat with oversized laces, into a new expression tied to the 99 Club milestone. Leveraged available gold material stock to quickly translate the design into a gold version—avoiding the need for custom development and eliminating production delays.
Moved quickly from concept to confirmation sample, ensuring the cleat could be delivered before the start of the NFL season.
